Thanks again Scott I ordered a three position switch and my pickups came in the mail yesterday. Here is a picture of the wiring.
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Thanks again Scott I ordered a three position switch and my pickups came in the mail yesterday. Here is a picture of the wiring.
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I got the template made for the custom pickguard last night. That took some time... now when the material arrives I can stick it to the template and router it out. Drill and countersink, 45 the edge and it will be complete. What do you guys think of the design?
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I like it. if anythingI'd adjust (smooth) the radius on the section directly above the rea pick up. I see you cant take any more off because the cavity is there but maybe add some at the very rear so that section is all the same width.
Yeah Dedman I mad some adjustments to it already, the pic when it's on the body was when I was checking that very area. I think I got it to be acceptable. I am so OCD that I want to pull out the micrometer and make it exact but the one they supplied was really bad because of the short scale making them move the pickups.
BTW thanks for the honest input that really helps people to get stuff right. Cant wait to see your next one.
I have an IB-5 kit also waiting to get started and the Ash grain is not that exciting so I think I am going to do a ebony timbermate grain fill and a dark chemical wash or grayish black stain with gold hardware.. I think you will like it.
Said it before; at first I had my thoughts but now I really love it. Somehow you made it, don't know how to say this (being Dutch), 'natural' and 'suppose to be'. So I admire your work!
Thanks kick you said it quite well..
Is your new pickup a 3-wire plus bare shield like the bottom diagram in that image you posted, or is it 4-wire plus a bare shield? Series/parallel coil switching needs the latter. Post some pics of your actual pickup wires if you're unsure.
I tend to like the timber template and wonder how it would come up with similar blue to green burst effect?Quote:
Originally Posted by Drummerdude
If I ever build a Firebird reckon I would do a 3 ply scratch plate made from 3mm ply wood instead of using the plastic one. After seeing the Olive Wood scratch plate in last month's GOTM has got me thinking more and more how much nicer a timber one looks.
Cheers, Waz
I was just thinking if you really need the cut-away for the truss-rod adjuster in the pickguard? Practically, there's no way you'd get a hex key in there to adjust anything unless you enlarged end elongated the body cut-out, so you'd need to remove the neck to do it anyway.
Just thinking out loud.
Well Waz I never even thought about that. I may just have to make one and try it. I actually just got a whole bunch of Ash veneer on a big sale the local vendor was having. So I may get some thinner plywood and glue a piece of the Ash to it and stain. Thank for the idea.
You may be right Simon I never thought about that. There are holes in the side of the rod end and I thought maybe those were so you could use a small rod or Allen wrench and ,instead of going into the end of the rod, you could stick it straight down and turn and keep moving to the closest hole and make adjustments but I am not sure.
Thanks for all the ideas..
You'd need a very small hex key to do it in-situ. Did one come with the kit? The ones that tend to come as standard in the kits are normally far too long. You'd need one with a really stubby end to do it. Also depends on how recessed the end of the truss-rod nut is. I'm not saying it can't be done, but unless you can get hold of the right tool, it may be better just to cover it up. Have a look and see what you think.
In my PBH kit I got a small slender shiny rod and a truss rod wrench. That fits nicely into the holes....oh and you can pull it down so you can access it....and push it back up when you are done.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drummerdude
Well I got home from vacation and couldn't wait to work on my two bass builds.. I completed my very first custom pickguard. I am pretty satisfied with it. It's not perfect but I learned a lot. Now I am spraying polyurethane coats. I realized that when I stained the body with the water based dye it pulled out a fair amount of the timbermate. But that's ok I guess I will just have to lay down many coats of clear to fill in the grain.. but I am very happy with the color..
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Looks great well done
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nice job Drummer, the pickguard shape looks great and green and blue burst looks great !
Colour and pickguard both look great!
nice lines, it's looking good
That pearloid plate really sets off the green/blue, not a fan of the axe style but really like the personalised look you've achieved. And I could go on ad nauseam about that deep green blue you've pulled off. Really nice work on that, loving the whole look.
Thanks guys.. I also got a bunch of work on my IB-5 kit. I need to start a new thread for that one too.. its is so nice having multiple kits so you have something to work on while you are waiting.. there is so much waiting..
Yeah that was my theory, have a couple of builds going so you've something else to do while waiting. Truth is you just multiply the number of things that you have to wait for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drummerdude
I know right?? But it's so much fun..
Hi Dude, looking good.
Always good to have at least 2 builds on the go so that you can be doing something. I have tended to do 2 lots of finishing at the same time as that helps to avoid spoilage through going off before all used up.
Well when I stained the body I pulled out some timbermate since I had to blend and blend the colors whiche required a fair amount rubbing.. anyways I have almost used a quart of polyurethane and sanding between every few coats. I am finally starting to get it flat. Probably another few coats and then wet sanding and finish up work..
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That colour mix looks awesome.. Seriously nice with that grain peeking through ...
Those back shots look nice and shiny. It can take a fair bit of effort to completely flatten out the grain waves with Ash and looks like you have done a good job.
Freaking epic DD. LOVE THAT COLOUR!
what Franken said!
Thanks guys.. I just can't wait to have one project complete with three going on at the same time surely the end is in sight for at least one..
It's like having 3 kids and not sure which one you should be playing with or working on at that point in time.
Gives you something to do and if the TV is as boring over there as it is here in OZ having 3 on the go would be a blessing.
That is for sure Waz.. I actually have three kids so I relate and yes the tv over here is probably worse..
Um yeah, three on the go.....😳Quote:
Originally Posted by Drummerdude
Well I finally got some time to wet sand, cut and buff my bass build. Here is how it turned out. I used a different water based polyurethane on this one. Varathane brand and I think I like this one better than the General finishes, it seemed to dry harder and shine up faster, but it could just be better technique on my second build. It was was more spraying and sanding back on this ash body but it was worth it..
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That is super shiny DD. Looks like it has been dipped in molten glass.
Thanks Waz.. the pics don't even do it justice. I wish I didn't have to reduce the size the original pictures look so much better..
Wow drummer you really got the finish down pat. This is going to look crazy assembled. What hardware is going on it?
Well I made a custom white pearloid pickguard to match the guitar build #1. I have hipshot elephant ear open gear tuners with a drop tuner for the e string in chrome. I have a preamp system with treble mid with mid sweep and bass pots, 1 volume and blend pots. Chrome knobs, guitarfetish pickups, locking strap system and will be putting a set of tape wound strings. That is pretty much all I use on my basses anymore is the tape wounds, they are so comfortable and they are very mellow smooth tone and for the worship music I play they blend very well. I will be installing a switch to be able to split coils on the humbucker and run between series and parallel.
Oh my dear... I'm gonna show you some pics of the Red Widow but she's not as shiny as what I see here :( Now I feel sad...
Haha, no it's ok! Love what you have done!
Don't be sad Kick.. the widow is gonna be a GOTM winner I'm sure.. but with sprayed poly or lacquer it is easy to get this look. Just takes time and patience.
The finish looks awesome. you must be pretty stoked
Well I still have the decal to be put on headstock and then apply finish on the neck and then final assembly and set up.. I did the mock build and drilled and countersunk the pickguard mounting holes, mounted tuners and pickups to see what it is gonna look like. Tomorrow I will do a shielding job and as soon as my decal makes it here I will finish the neck.
I am pretty happy with it so far, I hope it sounds as good as it looks..
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